Sip, Savour, Cycle the South Shore

All your favourite things combined on the South Shore

Sip, Savour, Cycle

Cycle through the most beautiful of areas, tasting the best of local wines and indulging in the flavours of regional cuisine

A new event has combined these pleasures by offering cycling in the South Shore together with locally crafted food and drink. On May 20 in Mahone Bay, organizers from Atlantica Oak Island Resort, Salt Box Brewing Company and Sweet Ride Cycling invite cyclists to gather for the South Shore Sip, Savour and Cycle Tour.

“Mahone Bay, Lunenburg and the surrounding communities offer some of the best cycling routes in the province with the Rum Runners Trail and scenic coastal byways, creating a cycling haven for recreational and dedicated riders alike,” says Rose MacEachen of Sweet Ride Cycling, one of the event sponsors.

“Pairing cycling with locally crafted food and drink provides participants with a quality experience that they can enjoy with friends and family — and it showcases the incredible tourism experiences available on the South Shore.”

Those registered for the event can choose between four self-guided routes, ranging from 25km to 104km, giving riders the level of cycling challenge they want, whether they are casual or avid cyclists.

Mid-ride, everyone will meet to enjoy a light lunch at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, with time to explore Lunenburg, a UNESCO world heritage site. After an afternoon of cycling, riders will attend a fun wrap-up event hosted by local restaurants and businesses in Mahone Bay.

“With four routes, from a 25km rail trail option to a 104km road route, the event appeals to all levels of riders,” says MacEachen. “Those who have signed up so far seem to be equally distributed, which is fantastic.”

Cyclists have the opportunity to decided between the 25km scenic shoreline road to Lunenburg, returning along the Bay to Bay Trail, or the 60km road route, offering scenic ocean views for the entire length of the route.

Cyclists. Photo Credit: Herald File

“This cycling event was designed with different options for that very reason, to encourage participation of riders of all abilities and levels of dedication, pairing safe, scenic routes with locally crafted food and drink.”

So far, participants include those from across mainland Nova Scotia, as well as a few visiting friends and relatives from Ontario who decided to make the trip, including the new South Shore Sip, Savour and Cycle event as part of their itinerary.

“We plan on making this an annual event,” explains MacEachen. “This year, the routes concentrate on the towns of Mahone Bay and Lunenburg and the surrounding communities — but we hope to increase the scope in future years to add routes that include Chester, Lahave and Petit Rivière to name a few.”

Many cyclists love to have predetermined routes that have been “tested and proven” to be safe and enjoyable.

The event’s organizers were intent on making this a very inclusive event that will appeal to avid cyclists, recreational cyclists and casual cyclists alike. It’s low stress, with no training required — an enjoyable ride that includes great food, juices, coffee, tea and spirits all crafted in the region.

As for what you need to bring, many participants will use their own bikes but rentals are available from Sweet Ride Cycling in Mahone Bay or Rhumb Line Cycling in Lunenburg. To see event details, including the four routes or to register, visit http://sweetridecycling.com and begin your sip, savour and cycle adventure!